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pro·pi·tious

(prə-pĭshəs)

adj.

1. Presenting favorable circumstances or showing signs of a favorable outcome; auspicious: "Grandmothers consulted almanacs to determine a propitious hour for the betrothal" (Jhumpa Lahiri).

2. Merciful or kindly: a propitious deity.

[Middle English propicius, from Old French propicieux, from Latin propitius; see pet- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

pro·pitious·ly adv.

pro·pitious·ness n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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